SB 610

This bill prohibits the disclosure of, or request or requirement to disclose,

reports of suspected child abuse or neglect and related records to certain persons if

an investigation led to a determination that there is no reason to suspect that abuse

or neglect occurred or is likely to occur.

Current law requires certain professionals to report suspected abuse and

neglect of children if the professional, in the course of his or her professional duties,

has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected, or has

reason to believe that a child has been threatened with abuse or neglect and that

abuse or neglect will occur. Current law also allows any person who is not a

mandated reporter to report suspected abuse or neglect of children if he or she has

reason to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected or reason to believe that

a child has been threatened with abuse or neglect and that abuse or neglect of the

child will occur. Under current law, such reports are made, by telephone or

personally, to the county department of human services or social services or, in

Milwaukee County, the Department of Children and Families or a licensed child

welfare agency under contract with DCF or the sheriff or city, village, or town police

department. Current law provides a procedure for evaluating and investigating such

reports.

Under current law, all reports of suspected abuse or neglect of a child and

related records are confidential and may be disclosed only to certain persons under

certain circumstances. Current law allows such reports and records to be disclosed

to a public or private agency that is investigating a person for purpose of licensing

the person to operated a foster home or placing a child for adoption in the home of

the person. Under this bill, such a report or record may not be disclosed under these

circumstances if, pursuant to an investigation of a report, there was a determination

that there is no reason to suspect that abuse or neglect has occurred or is likely to

occur.

The bill also prohibits an employer, agent of an employer, or licensing agency

from requesting or requiring an employee, prospective employee, or applicant for a

license to disclose a report of suspected child abuse or neglect if an investigation led

to a determination that there is no reason to suspect that abuse or neglect occurred

or is likely to occur.